Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

copd and sleep

My husband has last stage empheysema with only 15 % of his lungs in working order...Since his trachotomy has been inserted his lifestyle has changed dramatically and can now do more than he has in years...I have noticed that he does not sleep well at nights,,,His doctor said this is normal and for his age ( 61) he can do with less sleep than normal...he sleeps for an hour at nights usually then he is up for 3 hours then sleeps for an hour ...bringing him to about 3 hours sleep per night..I say this is not healthy but yet his doctor says it is fine..He is active during the say( as active as one can be with COPD) and hardly ever naps..How much sleep does a 60 year old need to not be open to other serious health problems?..Thank you

3 Replies:

Please try to get your husband to a good acupuncturist - you are near Seattle, yes? There should be tons to choose from, including one of the Best TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) schools in the country - Bastyr University. Chinese medicine is very helpful and may really make a difference in your husband's well being. Your husband's lack of sleep is certainly troubling, but more so is the end stage emphysema. What meds is he currently taking? Many meds interfere with sleep and can cause insomnia. Does he or did used to smoke? What is his diet like? Best wishesDOM

Since the trach tube ...my husbands meds have also decreased...he has more energy now than he has in the past years...he is taking a number of meds..requip for legs...lisinopril for b/p...spirivia, advair and albuterol inhalers and nublizers for lungs...He is also taking zooloft...Potassium and feurosmide for leg swelling and water retention...He is also on a ventilator when he is at rest or sleeping and this also causes a bit of a worry as he is a co- retainer and the only way to get rid of this is through sleep while on the ventilator...and if he is not sleeping or at rest...the respirator cannot do the work intended...but yet the doctor says this is still okay as he is older and doesnt need sleep much???I am not a doctor but I always thought that sleep was a necessity to maintaingood health...

Also my husband was a heavy smoker for 40 years but gave up finally last year...heathwise he is now at 205 pounds and stands at 5 foot 9..he is on a diet from the hospital to lose weight down to 185 to be eligible for a lung transplant..may I also add that my husbands family has a history of empheysema..his grandfather....father and brother both died with empheysema and his other sister also has empheysems...with his sister never smoking..